Monday, September 24, 2007

This is a new little project of mine. It was inspired, in part, by an email I received from a woman in New York earlier this year that got me to thinking... She said she was surprised at how few wedding professional's blogs there were in the Bay Area. As she pointed out we are SILICON VALLEY, that mythical place where things like the computer and internet came from. So how is it possible that so few here are blogging? She was helping her sister in Cupertino plan her wedding, from New York, and thought reading blogs would be a good way to find the right professionals. I couldn't agree more.

To the industry: It's a new way for people to get to know us and to better understand our businesses. So if you work in the industry and have a blog, or you know somebody in the industry with a great blog, please submit the url to me for consideration to be added to the blog list.

And if you have yet to start a blog, check back later this year. I'll be setting up several tutorials to help introduce the process to those of you who haven't been blogging. I'd do it now but I have my wedding to finish getting ready for. So far I've added one sample tutuorial about how to make links like the ones you see in my post here. It's also an FAQ page full of other little tidbits of information.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Have you ever wondered if you've ever had an original thought? How would you know if you had? Well if you're like me verification of unique thoughts can take place at Namecheap.com. This is a web site where you register a domain name, aka a url.

Huh? You might wonder how does a web site like that tie into having an original thought? Well if you've ever tried to find an available url you would quickly realize that it is no easy task. In fact it is one of the most daunting aspects new business owners may face as they set out to launch their new biz. At times it seems like EVERYTHING is taken.

Just last night my fabulous fiance wanted to register BlurryPhotos.com... But guess what? It was taken! Who would name their photography business blurry photos.com? LOL it just proves my point that there are a lot of people out there buying, using and parking domain names. Even the odd ones.

So when you find one that's still available you're pretty much guaranteed that you just had an original thought. It's a great feeling. I actually get a tiny thrill when the word "available" pops up. It's makes up for several dozen that were all "taken."

Saturday, September 15, 2007

After opening my Myspace account I met a very kind woman named Leah who left me a comment I check out the page of another Myspace designer. They have a shop on Etsy.com. When I went to take a peek at Atelier Kanawa I was in awe of the beautiful fabric flowers they create.

In Japan the beautiful ornaments women wear in their hair are called Kanzashi (pronounced Khan-zah-shi.)

I ended up ordering several of her pieces ($7.50 - $29.00) to incorporate into something for my wedding day attire. After the wedding I'll be sure to show you the beautiful flowers I purchased from her and how I used them. I love the piece above. At $275.00 the price may be expensive but I would say clearly worth it simply for the amount of labor and skill that must go into creating such a masterpiece.

Their online shop says:

Atelier Kanawa has been making both traditional & modern Tsumami Kanzashi since 2004. In the Summer of 2007, she was accepted as a private pupil and was professionally trained by one of the ONLY 15 acknowledged Tsumami Kanzashi artisans in the whole world.

They don't really have anybody who will carry out this traditional art. I will take a class from one of them sometimes this year because I strongly would like to preserve this artwork and carry this out to the future generation:) IT MEANS A LOT TO ME TO HAVE YOUR PURCHASE because YOU ARE SUPPORTING US and YOUR PURCHASE COULD BE A VERY PRECIOUS CULTURAL HERITAGE.

Friday, September 14, 2007

So as planned my friend Christina showed up today to learn how to make origami flower blossoms to help me with my centerpieces.

It was close to lunch time so we decided to grab a bite to eat first. As we were pulling into the restaurant parking lot she announced she was having a margarita with lunch. Normally I don't care if a friend has a glass of wine, a beer or a margarita with their meal. But today I gasped "What? A margarita? You can't learn origami drunk!" I told her I thought O.U.I. or origami-ing under the influence was probably not a good idea. LOL. After some light hearted negotiations she had one Raspberry Margarita... And then proceeded to make origami flowers like a pro. Hmmm. I think I may have to make a margarita the first required step when I teach origami in the future.

Christina made all of the light pink flowers. For an origami newbie she did an amazing job! Her flowers look gorgeous.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

So last night in the wee hours of the morning I concluded my online search for a metal garden arch. I ordered this one. It's being shipped out from Ohio. I'll let you know how it goes when it arrives.

Our wedding will be indoors so why do I need a garden arch? Well it's to hang our 1000 origami cranes from. Yes that's right! ONE THOUSAND of them. If all goes according to plan by the time our guests see the arch it will be painted gold and will be decorated in paper cranes and origami flowers. My friend Melany from Shanel's Flowers and Frames is going to help me start folding some of the flowers on Monday.

Tomorrow my friend Christina is coming over to help me fold more of the pink flowers in the kitty picture.

I have to say I'm blown away by all of the offers to help from all of my friends! And my Mom is cutting hundreds, maybe even thousands of tiny paper flowers to decorate my reception tables with. I'm one lucky girl to have so many kind and supportive people in my life. Thank you to all of you for helping to make our wedding day so much more special.

Saturday, September 8, 2007

A couple of weeks ago my sweetie and I made a quick trip to San Diego to see INXS in concert. The show was awesome. We were in the front row, right in front of Kirk Pengilly. They played many of my favorites old songs like New Sensation and Mystify and all of my new favorites like Pretty Vegas, Devil's Party and Afterglow. Though I've decided that for now? I really love the song "Disappear" from the X album.

After the show we were the only 2 people who got to go backstage to visit with the band. Better yet? It was the first time we had seen them since getting engaged. Can I tell you that sharing the news with them was so fun! First they were all so sincerely happy for us. And they all gave us huge hugs. And me? I got lots of congratulatory kisses! Woo hoo smooches from rock stars, not a shabby way to spend an evening.

John, who helped to make the iPhone, got to show Kirk and Tim their first iPhone in person. They got quite a kick out of it when he handed it to them while it was playing one of their videos. It was great! They loved it!

I don't know when we'll see them again but I'm already looking forward to it. In fact we'll be incorporating some of their music into our wedding. How could we not? If you have a chance to see them live you should go. This was my 7th INXS concert which pushes me well past my old record for seeing the Eagles 5 times on their Hell Freezes Over tour. Hmmm I heard the Eagles are back in the studio recording a new album... Better rest up so I can see a few of their shows the next time they come to town.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

As a public service I would like to share this little travel tidbit with everyone. Remember last year when the airlines had banned liquids in carry on bags? The few times I've traveled since then I'd been placing all liquids in my checked baggage. Until last week when on a short trip I decided to fit everything into my carry on bags. Keeping in mind the "3 ounce maximum liquid rule" I took along my 90% used up toothpaste tube with me. There couldn't have been more then a single ounce left in the almost empty, flattened, tube.

So, imagine my surprise when my bag was flagged by the screener at the baggage check. They opened it up and said my toothpaste was not allowed because it was in too large of a container. Huh? There was less then an inch of toothpaste left, well under the 3 oz. rule. At which point the security guy informed me that 3.4 oz were allowed and that the weight of the original product was what mattered, not what was left. Since my toothpaste tube said 8 oz, it was well over the limit, even though it was almost empty.

Go figure.

He also informed me in the future to place all of my liquids, in their 3.4 oz containers, into 1 small Zip Loc bag and place them in one of the plastic bins seperated from the rest of my belongings.

I'm not really complaining. I'm all for keeping the skies safe for all travelers. I just wanted to warn others to make sure your liquid belonging are in containers with a capacity of not more then 3.4 oz. Otherwise you'll be saying goodbye to your toothpaste like I did. Next time I'm flying with no checked bags I'll pick up those teeny, super cute, little travel sized containers of everything I could possibly need.

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Welcome! I Found The Place is a multi-niche blog that promotes lifestyle content, local and national tourism, small businesses, advocates for shelter dogs and the National Marrow Donor Program. It's a through my eyes view of the everyday highs and lows of now Michiganese (former Californian), Origami Artist Stacie Tamaki.

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